Refrigeration apparatus



y 7, 1940- c. R. BU'CHET 2,199,779

REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -1NVENTOR, Conrad R Buchei. BY x Q ATTO BY.

May 7, 1940. c. R. BUCHET REFRIGERATION APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1958 1 II 4/ I! l/ r I! II I 1/ l1 INVENTOR. Ccnwud R. Buchai Patented May 7, 1940 REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Conrad R. Buchet,'Los Angeles, Calif., assignorof one-half to Theodore E.-Herliliy, Los Angeles,

Calif. and one-half to Allen W. McDonald Application March 21, 1998, Serial 190,191,072

10 Claims.

This invention'relates to improvements in mechanicai refrigerators. v

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanical refrigerator which employs a simple and effective cooling system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel refrigerant circuit for a mechanical refrigerator.

Other objects and the advantages of this in-. vention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the machinery compartment of my improved refrigerator device;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1

' on a reduced scale;

.Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view ceiver tank;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line '4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. I

Referring to the drawings by reference char acters I have shown my invention embodied in a refrigerator which I have indicated generally 'at l0. As shown the refrigerator l0 comprises .a box like structure having a storage compartment l2 and a machinery compartment ll. Access to the storage compartment I2 is had through a suitable door l4 and access to the machinery compartment I3 is had by removing the rear wall l5. I

Within the storage compartment I provide an evaporator unit IQ of the standard type which includes a horizontal tank-member I! having the usual heat exchange. tubes l8 looped downward around a freezing compartment 19. Mountedon the top of the refrigerator I provide a vertical receiver tank 20.

One end of a conduit 2| enters the evaporator. tank i1 wherein it communicates with a shut off valve 22. The valve 22 includes an operating lever 23 which has a buoyant member 24 on the end thereof. The member 24 is adapted to open and close the valve 22 to'maintainthe fluid in the tank II at a predetermined levelnThe opposite end of the conduit 2| communicates with a standard type thermo and pressure-operated expansion valve member 25 which includes the usual thermo responsive bulb member 26 7 located adjacent the .tank l1 and its associated I connector tube 21. A conduit 28 communicates at one end with the valve 25 and the opposite of the re-' end opens into the lower portion of the receiver tank 20.

In the machinery compartment 13 I provide a vertical heat exchange for absorption. tank 30. Within the tank 20 I provide a coiled conduit 3| the lower end of .which'communicates through a shut off valve 32 with a conduit 38. The opposite end' of the conduit 33 opensinto the receiver tank 20 through the top thereof. The upper end of the coiled conduit 3| communicates through a shut ofl valve 34 with a conduit 36 which communicates with the outlet member 36 of a compressor device 81. The compressor device 31 is shown as driven by a belt 3' from an electric motor 39.

On the top 6f the tank 30 I provide a member 4| which forms a closed chamber 42 (Fig. 4). An inlet member 43 of the compressor 31 communicates through a shut oil valve 44 with a conduit 45 which. opens into the chamber 42.. One end of a conduit 46 opens into the chamber 42 opposite the conduit 45. The opposite end of the conduit 48 opens into the tank l1.

Positioned in the chamber 42 1 provide a check valve member 41 the lower end of which extendsinto the tank 80. Opening through the lower end the member 41 has an aperture. 48 therein and opening through the upper end it has an enlarged recess 49 therein. The shoulder at the juncture 'of the aperture 48 and the recess 49- is .bevelled to form a valve seat 50' which is adapted to be engaged by a ball valve member BI.

Positioned in the tank 30 and encircled by the cofl .3! I provide a plurality of circumferentially spacedvertical tubes I2, the upper portions of which extend into the chamber 42 and terminate adjacent the topthereof. Engaging the upper ends of the tubes 62 I provide ailat segmental valve member 63 whichincludes a vertical valve stem 54 extending out of the top of the member 4| through a suitable packing gland 55.

An operating handle 56 is provided on the valve stem I4 andincludes a pointer portion 51 which coactswithindicia matter 68 on the top of the member 4! to indicate'the'position of the valve member I8.

One end of a conduit 59 opens into the tank 30 and the opposite end communicates with the depending heat exchange loops ll. Interposedin the conduit 59 adjacent the tank 30 I-provide a shut ofiwalve. ll.- g The action of the motor. 39 is preferably controlled by any suitable type of ithern'io switch mechanism 8| having a thermo responsivebulb 82 positioned adjacent the tank l'l.

In operation the system is filled with the required amount of refrigerant fluid which in this instance may be aqua-ammonia. When the compressor 31 is operating it draws ammonia gas out of the chamber 42 through the conduit 45 and the valve 44 into the inlet 43 and discharges it under pressure and at increased temperature through the outlet 38, through the conduit 85, the valve 34 and into the coiled conduit 3|.

Passing down the conduit H the high pressure, heated, gas is cooled and becomes a liquid. Thus, the conduit 8| constitutes a refrigerant condenser which is in heat exchange relation with the absorbent liquid contained in the tank 30. A particular advantage of this construction is that the heat of condensation, that is, the heat given up when the refrigerant changes from a gas to a liquid, is taken up by theabsorbent liquid and is effective toward vaporizing from the absorbent liquid the refrigerant which is being withdrawn by the compressor 31. The heat of the compressed gas is absorbed by the liquid in the tank 30, thus raising the temperature of the liquid in the tank. The heat from the tank 30 is dissipated into the atmosphere. The raising of the temperature of the fluid in the tank 30 drives oif ammonia which is drawn through the conduit 46 to the chamber 42 whence it flows to the compressor inlet. From the bottom of the coiled conduit 3| the refrigerant liquid is forced through the conduit 33 and falls into the receiver tank 20. The high pressure liquid accumulates in the bottom of the receiver 20 whence it flows through.

the conduit 28, the control valve 2!, the conduit 2| and float valve 22 and is sprayed into the tank I1.

level.

When the cooling operation in the tank i1 7 has gone sufllciently far to produce the desired degree of cold the bulb 82. and its associated switch mechanism 8| will cause the motor 89 to be shut off stopping the compressor 31. The 810- cumulated pressure in the receiver continues to force liquid through the float valve 22 subject to the regulation of the valve 25 as determined by the thermo responsive member 2..

The gas continues to flow through the conduit 46 and into the chamber 42 as previously described. From the. chamber 42 the gas is allowed to pass down one or more of the tubes 52 as predetermined by the position of the valvemem- 7 in the tank 30 passes into the chamber 42 through the valve member 41, whence it passes to the compressor inlet during the operation of the compressor and in this manner the absorber-is prepared to receive a fresh charge of gas during the continuation of the cycle.

When the pressure in the receiver 20 has and allowing them to pass through the conduit 59 into the heat exchanger 30.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel mechanical refrigerator device which is simple in construction, economical to operate and highly eihcient.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a refrigerator system, a heat exchange device including a tank portion and a closed chamber portion, a coil in said tank, means to draw fluid from said chamber and to discharge it under pressure into said coil, an evaporator unit including a tank, conduit means between said evaporator tank and said coil, conduit means affording communication between said evaporator tank and said chamber and valved means affording communication between said chamber and said first mentioned tank.

2In a refrigerator system, a heat exchange device including a ,tank portion and a closed chamber portion, a conduit including a coil in said tank, means to withdraw fluid from said chamber to direct it to'said coil, a plurality of vertical tubes in said tank, the upper portion of said tubes opening into said chamber and the lower portion of the tubes opening into the tank, valve means to control flow through said tubes, a receiver, means connecting the other end of said conduit and said receiver, an evaporator, valved means connecting said receiver and said evaporator and conduit means communicating at one end with said evaporator unit and the other end opening into said chamber.

3. In a refrigerator system, a receiver tank, an evaporator unit, a compressor including an inlet and an outlet, said evaporator unit including a tank, a coil, means including said coil connecting said receiver tank and said compressor outlet, a conduit connecting said receiver tank and said evaporator tank, said conduit having a valve member interposed therein between said receiver tank and said evaporator tank to control passage therethrough, a flow control valve member interposed in said conduit and disposed within said evaporator tank, an absorption tank in which said coil is disposed; means to conduct fluid from said evaporator to said absorption tank, said last mentioned means including a valve controlled portion and means to draw fluid from said absorption tank and to return it to saidcoil.

4. In a refrigerator system, a receiver tank, an-

evaporator unit including a tank, a compressor member including an inlet and an outlet, means including a coil connecting said receiver tank and said compressor outlet, a conduit connecting said receiver tank and said evaporator tank, said conduit having a combination pressure and theme actuated expansion valve member interposed therein between said receiver tank and said evaporator tank to control passage therethrough, a flow control valve member interposed in said conduit and disposed within said evaporator tank, an abmrption tank in which said coil is disposed, means affording communication between trolled portion and means to afford communica- 'tion between said absorption tank and said compressor inlet.

5. In a refrigerator system, a compressor including an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchange device including a tank portion and a closed chamber portion, a conduit in said tank, a coil in heat exchange relation with said tank portion, means connecting one end of said coil and said compressor outlet, means communicating with said compressor inlet and said chamber, a plu-' rality of tubes in said tank, one portion of said tubes opening into said chamber and another portion of the tubes opening into the tank, valve means operable from the exterior of said chamber to control flow through each tube, a receiver, means connecting the other end of said conduit and said receiver, an evaporator, means connect--- ing said receiver and said evaporator and conduit means communicating with said'evaporator unit and said chamber. a

6. In a refrigerator system, a compressor including an inlet and an outlet, 'a heat exchange device including a tank portion and a closed chamber portion, a conduit including a coil in said tank, means connecting one end of said conduit and said compressor outlet, means come municating with said compressor inlet and said chamber, a plurality of tubes in said tank, one portion of said tubes opening into said chamber and another portionoi' the tubes opening into the tank, valve means to control flow through said tubes, a receiver, means connecting the other end of said conduit and said receiver, an evaporator, valved means connecting said receiver and said evaporator and conduit means communicating atone end with said evaporator unit and the other end opening into said chamber.

7. In a refrigerator system, a compressor including an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchange device including a tank portion and a closed chamber portion, a check valve adapted to con- ,trol passage from said tank to said chamber, a coil in said tank, conduit means connecting one end of said coil and said compressor outlet, conduit means communicating at one end with said compressor inlet'and at the opposite end opening into said chamber, valved means to afiord communication between said tank and said chamber, a receiver tank, conduit means communicating with the other endofsaid coil and the upper portion of said receiver tank, an evaporator unit including a tank and a plurality of looped evaporator tubes depending therefrom and opening thereinto, conduit means between said evaporator tank and said receiver tank, conduit means afiording communication between the upper portion of said evaporator tank and said chamber and a drain member communicating with said evaporator tubes and opening into said heat exchange member.

8. In a refrigerator system, a compressor member, said compressor including an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchange device, said device including a vertical tank portion and a closed chamber portion thereabove, a check valve member opening into said tank and into said chamber adapted to allow passageway from said tank into said chamber when the pressure in said tank reaches a predetermined amount and to restrict flow from 'said chamber to said tank at all times, a vertically coiled conduit in said tank, conduit means connecting the upper end of said coil and communicating with said compressor inlet and at the opposite end opening into said chamber, a plurality of vertical tubes in said tank, the

upper portions of said tubes extending into said chamber and opening thereinto, valve means operable from the exterior of said chamber to control the openings of said tubes, an evaporator unit, means connecting the lower end of said coiled conduit and saidevaporator unit and conduit means communicating at one end with said evaporator unit and at the opposite end opening into said chamber.

said compressor outlet, conduit means at one end 9. In a refrigerator system, a compressor ineluding an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchange device including a tank portion and a closedchamber portion, a coil in said tank, a conduit connecting the upper end of said coil and said compressor outlet, conduitmeans communicating at one end "with said compressor inlet and at the opposite end opening into said chamber,

a plurality of tubes in said tank opening into a said tank and into said chamber, means to control passage through said tubes, a receiver tank, means communicating with the coil and opening into the upper portion of said receiver tank, an evaporator unit including a tank having a plurality of looped evaporator tubes depending therefrom and opening thereinto, conduit means opening into said evaporator tank and into the lower portion of said receiver tank, said last mentioned conduit means having a thermo actuated expansion valve member to control passage oi refrigerant therethrough and having a float controlled valve member interposed therein within said evaporator tank and conduit means affording communication between the upper portion of said evaporator tank and said chamber.

10. In a refrigerator system,. a compressor including an inlet and an outlet, a heat exchangedevice including a tank portion and a closed chamber portion, means to allow passage of refrigerant from said tank into said chamber when the pressure in said tank reaches a predetermined amount and to restrict fiow from said chamber to said tank at all times, a coil in said tank, a conduit connecting the upper end of said coil and said compressor outlet, conduit means communicating at one end with said compressor inlet and at the opposite end opening into said chamber, a plurality of tubes in said tank opening into said tank and into said chamber to control passage through said tubes, a receiver tank, conduit means communicating at one end with thelower end of said coil and at the opposite end opening into the upper portion of said receiver tank, said last mentioned conduit having valve means interposed therein to control passage therethrough, an evaporator unit including a tank having a plurality of looped evaporator tubes depending therefrom and opening thereinto, conduit means opening into said evaporator tank and into the lower portion of said receiver tank, said last mentioned conduit means having a combination pressure and thermo actuated valve member interposed therein between said receiver tank and said evaporator tank to control passage therethrough and said conduit means having a float controlled valve member interposed therein within said evaporator tank and conduit means affording communication between the upper portion of said evaporator tank and said chamber.

' cormAn a. BUCHE'IZ. 

